Duke  University  Libraries 

General  orders, 
Conf  Pam  #819  no.  5 


a  SAD     ^tlCAUX'SKTV 

isro.  o.  ' 

The  following  Rci^nlations  are  announced  for  Ihe   obserrtnc*  of  th«  troops  o^ 
ll)'s  Army,  while  on  outpost  Hervicf, : 

I.  The  commanders  of  all  detached  Artry  corps,  Diyisiona,  Brijpide?,  or  Rcci> 
nieotft  of  this  Army,  on  arriving  at  a  position  to  be  occupied,  will  carefully  re- 
connoitre, personally  and  by  staff  officers,  the  ground  in  the  vicinity  and  all  roads 
and  approaches  thereto,  for  a  distance  of  several  miles,  especially  in  the  knorn 
direction  of  the  enemy .  The  best  positions  for  holding  all  such  approashes  under 
Yigilant  observation,  and  for  the  prevention  of  surprise,  will  be  carefully  selected 
for  the  advanced  line  of  picket  sentries,  which  shall  not  be  less  than  one  mile 
distant  from  the  main  body  of  the  command,  nor  more  than  three  miles.  The 
force  to  bo  employed  in  this  outpost  service  shall  habitually  be  not  less  than  one- 
fifth  of  the  command,  from  which  it  may  be  detached,  and  the  tour  of  duty  will 
bo  for  three  days. 

2.  The  post  of  the  Regiment,  Battalion,  or  detachment,  on  outpost  service,  will 
be  selected  at  a  convenient  central  point,  about  half  a  mile  in  rear  of  the  front 
line  to  be  occupied  by  sentinels ;  and  there  will  be  the  reserve,  and  place  for  bag- 
gage and  cooking.  One-third  of  the  command  or  detachment  will  be  thrown 
forward  in  three  equal  parties,  equi-distant  from  each  other,  to  within  two  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  extreme  picket  front ;  and  from  these  detachments,  smaller 
detachments,  each  of  from  three  to  sis  privates,  with  a  cjmmisiioncd  or  non» 
«oiEibissioned  officer  in  charge,  from  which  a  continuouj  line  of  sentries  will  bo 
•stablished  nlong  the  entire  front  to  be  held  and  obscrrod,  connecting  at  al'  times 
with  the  sentinel.**  on  the  right  and  left,  thrown  forward  either  by  the  pickets, 
posts  of  l)io  n.ajn  Regiment,  Battalion  or  Detachment,  or  established  from  ether 
XegimentH.  Jlaii.i;  ..i--  or  I'etachments  on  outpost  service.  At  night  the  number 
of  seiitiii  ;1 1  \mI»  Imi  (i<itii'-fd. 

3.  Scinii  -^1  ^.  ^"koi.  ;.  juld  be  ao  pistablished,  as  to  observe  as  much,  and  as 
far  as  p'"  •  ht^nueSvos  c^ncJed  froju  observation  by  the  enemy.  Loud 
talkin{^  b'.  ,     i^-,  '  ng.  and   Sres,   except  at   the   reserve — and   in   very  cold 


weather,  on  tlie  line  of  company  or  dotachment  reserves — is  strictly  prohibited. 
Citieens  rti|>st  not  be  allowed  tostny  or  lonnjre  al.out  the  picket  posts,  or  coiiversft 
with  {;icke^  ;  tliie  is  pniticularly  cujoined  ;  for,  under  the  pretence  of  hospitality 
^  and  the  siwulution  of  the  simp'e  countryman,  an  insidious  spy  may  be  lurking  to 
discover  owr  signals  of  recognition,  countersigns,  passwurda,  or  other  information, 
to  be  betniyed  to  our  injury. 

4,  Officer.'?,  and  non^couimif-sioncd  (.flocera  and  poldiers,  on  picket  service,  ar© 
at  all  tinies  dressed  and  equipped.  The  commander  of  ench  outpoat  command 
vill  make  frequent  vi.sits  and  inspections  of  his  advanced  detachments,  picket 
posts,  and  front  line  of  sentinels;  and  he  will  be  responsible  fur  ajiy  surprise  of 
hi3  lines;  or  Inx,  ne<rligent  performance  of  picket  service  hy  bis  officers  and  men, 
during  the  tour.  He  will  give  proper  instructions  to  ail  under  his  command 
touching  their  several  duties,  and  should  satisfy  himself  that  those  instructions 
are  well  understood  and  rigidly  executed.  His  Adjutant,  or  some  other  officer 
Bclectcd  for  the  duty,  will  also  visit  each  picket  post  and  sentry,  once  each  night, 
between  12  o'clock  and  daylight. 

5.  "When  a  day  signal  of  recognition  has  been  arranged  for  any  picket  line,  it 
will  be  demanded  as  soon  as  the  parties  see  each  other.  At  niRht  parties  ap> 
proaching  will  be  halted  at  a  distance  of  sixty  yards,  if  prscticable,  in  a  loud  dm 
tinct  tone,  and  the  signal  demanded.  The  party  challenged  will  then  require  a 
response  from  the  challenging  party  ;  this  made,  the  latter  will  (trder  the  former 
to  advance  and  give  the  couuteraign.  Commanders  of  outposts  will  be  •areful  not 
to  preventer  delay  the  passing  of  cavalry  piekiits,  or  couriers  v\-ith  despatches; 
bet  when  reasonable  doubts  uriise  as  to  the  character  of  the  parly,  he  must  bft 
rtctit,  under  charge  of  guard,  at  once  to  the  Headquarters  of  the  nearest  Gen«^r»l 
Officer.  A  mounted  man  will  not  lo  required  to  dismoutit  to  give  the  counter- 
sign, after  having  made  the  proper  signal,  nor  will  the  countersign  be  required 
in  the  day  time.  Great  circumspection  must  be  exercised  in  tho  use  of  siguaJa 
U)  prevent  their  observation  by  lurking  spies  of  the  enemy. 

6  An  approach  of  the  enemy  must  be  resisted  by  the  pickets  as  obstinately  »» 
practicable  ;  the  ground  must  only  be  yielded  before  an  overwhelming  force  ;  they 
wiH  then  retire,  tighiing,  on  the  reserve,  where  a  stand  will  be  made  us  long  «» 
•  jrf>«ckics;ble.  ]f  Joroed  lo  retire,  they  will  take  up  successive  positions  behind  ftll 
•dvHUtugeous  shelter,  and  resolutely  oheck  and  retard  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
•»s  lung  as  possible.  Ihe  best  mutksmen  will  be  selected  tu  cover  the  rear,  whi»« 
*hu8  Tailing  back,  who  will  tire  wiiU  deliberation  as  they  retire.  If  pressed  closely 
.)ty  Cae  ent-iu)',  the  cummuud  must  be  brought,  if  possible,  to  charge  with  the  bay- 
loet.  .  1  he  ufmofitcare  must  be  taken  to  prevent  the  men  fiotu  crowding  cm  mcwac, 
iijjallitig  Piok.,  ao  ihcy  will  offer  a  target  for  artillery;  and  the  men  must  b« 
taufioi  eii  ugainst.  and  prevented  from  making  a  precipitate  reireat  from  an  .out« 
•fiOyft,  imUer  >.oy  cireiJislauces. 

L  .While  on  outjot  duty,  no  officer  or  soldier  will  be  penuitfed  to  Se^velKa 
iiu  ;w  I,  •:vch;)ut  expfcts  authority  from  the  commaiider,  except  upon  a  jSprgt>6,ii'« 
■;.jV:lieate.      Ceu2iii,'vRd«ra  of  ounpostif  must  rawai*  ooostactly  duri«g'th»  i<Qui!  iwilh 


their  reserve,  exc?pt   when  visiting  the  picket  p»3ts  ani  aenfrlci,  ia  which  case, 
;hej  will  leave  these  instructions  with  the  ofl&cer  next  in  command. 

8.  In  marching  to  and  from  outposts,  the  utmost  order  tud  discipliae  will  b* 
preserved.      No  ttraggling  must  bepermitti  d.  J^^^ 

9.  As  soon  as  the  pickets  may  become  eei  iously  engigcd  with  tho^^^^  any 
baggaf^e  at  the  post  of  the  Reserve  will  be  iuimediately  sent  to  t>t«^^^^  ^^^ 
baggage  of  the  Brigade  to  which  the  detachment  belongs.  TroojjjM^utpost 
aervice  are  expected  to  bivouac.  jB^ 

10.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  shall  have  developed  with  certainty  a  dSign  to  ad- 
/rance,  the  commanders  of  oiitposti  will  at  once  despatch  couriers  to  the  General 
cnimandirig  the  Corj.s  or  Division,  to  which  the  outpost  belongs,  giving  informal 
tiori  of  iho  inovciiient.s  of  the  enemy,  his  probable  strength,  kind  of  force,  and 
whether  moving  rapidlv  or  not,  route  or  routes  taken,  and  such  other  information 
us  may  be  oi  service.  The  report  of  mere  rumored  movements  must  always  be 
•voided,  or  at  least  distinguished  from  what  may  :e  ascertained  by  the  Military. 

11.  The  commander  of  each  outpost  will  publish  these  orders  every  tour,  befor© 
esfablishin";  his  picket  post,  or  posting  his  picket  sentries;  they  will  likewise  be 
read  to  each  cunipany  or  detachment  of  the  line  of  advanced  picket  parties. — 
They  will  be  careiiill)'  preserved  and  transferred  to  the  next  commanders  of  the 
oat  post. 

12.  Any  pcr.^on  found  in  the  act  of  eluding  the  outposts,  and  failing  to  halt 
*hou  directed  to  do  so,  will  be  fired  upon  by  the  sentinels  ;  and  any  person,  if 
t^uiipccted  111' eluding  the  outpo.sts,  will  be  at  once  ari'ested  and  sent  to  the  nearest 
Provost  Marshal. 

13.  Cavalry  pickets  will  be  required  by  sentries  and  picket  posts,  to  show  au- 
thority of  their  Colonel  or  other  (Jomaiander,  for  the  service,  before  being  allowed 
{.(»  pass  ;  and  couriers,  with  dispatches,  must  be  furnished  with  passes  properly 
•igned.  •  •         .  . 

14.  The  roll  of  troops  at  outposts  must  be  callft^.  fi|84titiS*ly  ia^inc  the  day,  and 
•t  Retreat  there  shall  be  an  inspection  of  Armsjind  ammunition. '  v  • 

15.  Staff  officers  may  be  sent  by  the  General^  or  other  officer  in  command,  to 
inspect  thn  outposts  of  his  conatmi^d.  ^»  t      ^w      »  ^V,         —J 

16.  Sentries  mu?t  always  ber^a(t'y  W  fire,  but  willbe  sure  of  the  presence  oTthe 
enemy  before  firing,  and  will  carefully  -st^^/ahe^l^arms.  Oyce  satisfied  that  the 
tjnemy  ia  at  hand,  the  sentinel,  though  all  «fen^  oHiras^aTtMrtiy  be  useless,  musk 
fire,  as  the  safetv  of  the  Army  may  depend  on  the  alarm  he  will  then  give. — 
i'ioket  sentries  should  te  relieved  every  hour,  at  night,  and,  as  a  precaution 
•gainst  surprise,  should  be  instnii;t«'d  in  some  signal  for  the  night  before  giving 
the  countersign  to  others  of  tin;  mixw  outpost  detachment. 

17.  In  the  immediate  or  near  jnt'renceof  the  enemy,  the  main  and  company 
rcseryea  must  stand  to  their  arms,  for  an  hour  immediately  before  daybreak. — 
Patrols  will  be  made  ."lowlv.  aiU-ntly,  and  with  the  utaiost  precaution,  to  ensura 
•gainst  surprise*  or  being  mistaken  for  the  enemy  by  our  own  men.  When  pi»troiii 
are  sent  out,  infonoation  of  the  fuel  mubt  le  spread  ihrougbout  the  piAet  jK^etb 
«a  1  sentries. 


Ceralry  Pickets   nttd   ViAetten, 


|ddition  to  Infantry  outposts,  the  wbolc  front  of  atsy  force  i-^  pr>nu.io!i 
,st  be  completely  observed  and  covered  by  cavalry  ;  a!!  coiisfij:sndin;» 
servation  will  be  occupied  ;  and  all  possible  aveoues  of  approach  wiil 
13  near  to  the  enemy's  lines  as  the  oature  of  the  ountry  will  admit, 
permit  without  substantial  resistance.  Positions  iuu.>-t  be  avnoed. 
lemy  can  approch  under  cover,  or  turn.  There  must  be  an  uoDrok^o 
line  of  communication,  on  the  right  and  left,  between  all  the  posts  and  vidctfeK 
The  horse  should  be  relieved  by  his  rider  as  much  as  possible,  but  when  near  tb« 
enemy;  the  vidette  must  never  quit  his  rein,  or  take  off  hriJIe  or  saihlle. 

19.  Cavalry  picket  detachments,  when  practicable,  will  consist  of  entire  compa- 
nies, and  each  company  will  cover  its  proportion  of  the  front  to  be  occupied 
The  picket  posts,  detached  in  advance,  will  not  be  of  less  than  one  noo-coiumis- 
eioned  officer,  and  three  troopers,  each.  The  Captain  of  each  company  will  serv* 
as  officer  of  the  Guard,  for  his  company,  on  picket  service,  and  a  Seid  officer,  oi 
senior  Captain  will  be  officer  of  the  day,  for  the  whole  line  of  the  Regiment.,  Bat- 
tallion  or  squadron,  on  out  post  duty. 

20.  The  Company  Commander  will  be  habitually  with  the  reserve^  establiibaJ 
at  a  central  point,  in  rear  of  the  picket  posts. 

By  command  of  GtKN.  Beaureqald 


THOMAS  JORDAN, 
A.   AdJ't    CVa, 


—OFFICIAL— 

(Signed.)  CLIFTON  II.   SMITH, 
-  ^  A.   Adft  Gen. 


(^.^^dt^ 


HoUinger  Corp. 
pH  8.5 


